Drapery spacer and pleat form



SePt- 25, 1961 B. RATLIFF DRAPERY SPACER AND PLEAT FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24, 1959 o. -Qb s -...1... 5......

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INVENTOR Sept. 26, 1961 1 B. RATLIFF DRAPERY SPACER AND PLEAT FORM Filed sept. 24, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN Sept. 26, 1961 l.. B. RATLIFF DRAPERY SPACER AND PLEAT FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 24, 1959 R 0 M fr 1 V m ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1961 1 B. RATLIFF DRAPERY SPACER AND PLEAT FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 24, 1959 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent Ov 3,001,578 DRAPERY SPACER AND PLEAT FORM Leslie B. Ratlil, St. Louis, Mo. (Rte. 2, Box 90, Paragould, Ark.) Filed Sept. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 842,078 6 Claims. (Cl. 160-126) My invention relates broadly to means for holding the terminating overlapping edges of draperies together, and more particularly to a coacting pair of magnetic spacer members for insertion in the drapery hems for holding the overlapping drapery hems together when the draperies are in the closed or drawn position. Y, Y

Gne of the objects of my invention is to provide a pair of spacer members for drapery hems which carry coacting magnetic means thereon for coupling the .overlapping terminating ends of the drapery together when it is disposed in the closed position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of easily detachable coupling means for the overlapping bottom portions of draperies which 'also provide means for forming the first drapery pleat.

Another object of my invention is to provide .a construction ofV drapery edge holder which simultaneously serves as a drapery weight and drapery `Shaper member.

Still lanother object of my invention is to provide a construction for a pair of magnetically coupled drapery edge holders which permits selective shaping of the front of the drapery in various ways.

A further object of my invention is to provide a combination drapery weight, shaper and edge holder-which is easily attachable and detachable from the drapery hem. w

Still a'further object of my invention isto providefa construction of drapery edge couplers which carry hinged portions thereon for imparting a more aestheticappearance to the manner in which the front drapery; edges hang.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the manner in which the vrnitered drapery Ahem coacts with the magnet carrying portion of one of the spacer members and in the mannerin Which the magnetic portions of each spacer are vdisposedrto -coact-with each other as set forth more fully ,in ,the specification hereinafter following by referencepto Ithe laccompanying drawings,inwhich: v

FIG. i .is a front elevational View of a pair of draperies in the closed position showing the manner in which the drapery spacers are carried in the drapery hems;

FIG. 2 is a back elevational 'View of a fragmentary `portion of the bottonroverlapping edges of a pair of draperies, the view showing the draperies slightly open and the manner in which the spacer members are secured in the drapery hems;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational View taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG.y 2 and particularly showing the manner in which the magnets are projected beyond the hem thickness by the spacer portion;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational View taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; Y

v FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and particularly showing 3,001,578 Patented Sept. 26, 1961 ICC FIG. 6 is a front elevational View of the'left hand drapery spacer of the coacting pair of drapery spacer members of my invention;

VFIG. 7 is a back elevational view of the left hand drapery spacer of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan View of the left Vspacer shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view taken substantially along line 919 of FIG. 6;

FIG. l() is a longitudinal section view taken subst-antially along line 10-10 of FIG. 6;

FIG. ll is an end elevational view of the left hand spacer member of FIG. 6 looking at the clip end thereof;

FIG. l2 is a vertical section view taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section View taken substantially along line 13-13 of FIG. 6;

FIG. l4 -is a front elevational view of the right hand drapery spacer of the coacting pair of drapery spacer members of my invention;

FIG. l5 is a back elevational view of the right hand drapery spacer member;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the right hand drapery hand drapery spacer shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is -a horizontal sectional View taken substan- -tially along line 17-17 of FIG. 14;

FIG., 18 is a horizontal `sectional view taken substantially along line 18-18 of FIG. 14;

FIG. I9, is a vertical section View taken substantially along line 19-19 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is -a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View similar to FIG. 5 and particularly showing the movable body portion of each spacer member pivoted to a forward position to form forwardly depending first pleats on each of the overlapping draperies;

FIG. 2l is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View similar to FIG. 2O bu showing the movable body portions of the spacer members pivoted to rearward positions to form rearwardly depending first pleats on each drapery;

FIG. 22 is a back elevation-a1 view of a fragmentary portion of the bottom edges of a pair of draperies similar to FIG. 2 but particularly showing a modied form of my invention in thepositioning ofthe spring clip members;

FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of the right hand drapery spacer of my invention inserted in the drapery hem; p

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary top plan view of the modified right hand drapery spacer shown in FIG. 23, the View showing 4the drapery hem is cross-section to show the manner in which the pivotally sprung spacer portion engages the drapery hem;

FIG. 25 is a perspective View of a left hand spacer member and particularly showing a modified construc tion of movable body portion; Y

FIG. 26 is a front plan view of a modied form of left hand spacer member particularly showing a pair of movable body portions consecutively coupled to the main body portion;

FIG. 27 is a top plan View partly in section showing the manner in which the modiiied form of spacer member shown in FIG. 26 is utilized to form drapery pleats; and

FIG. 28 is a perspective View of a drapery spacer member particularly showing a modiiied construction for attaching the drapery spacers to the drapery.

My inventionis directed to the construction of Va Acoacting pair of drapery spacer members which are fastened into the hems of the draperies adjacent the lower overlapping edges thereof.

Each spacer member carries 'a main body portion andV a movable body portion hingedly attached thereto for imparting different aesthetic formations to the rst pleat of the drapery in whose hem it is secured. The body portions of the spacer members are of thin construction so they canY slip into the mitered hems of the draperies.

VThespacer members are each Secured to the drapery hems by a spring clip carried on the back surface of the main body portion positioned to engage the mitered edge `qualities to the entire plate surface. When the left hand drapery spacer member is secured in the drapery hem the front of the drapery covers the metal plate and -the entire member is hidden behind the drapery. Y

The-right hand spacer member in the hem of the left hand drapery is likewise hidden lbehind the drapery. A spacer portion carrying small magnets is attached to the Vrear surface of the right hand spacer member `adjacent the edge of the drapery. One edge of the spacer portion is mitered substantially the same as the drapery hem so it can project the magnets behind the drapery hem in the mitered corner of the hem.

When the draperies are closed they overlap a given amount `and the-magnets protruding from the back of the right hand spacer member make magnetic contact with the metal plate of lef-t hand spacer member through the left hand drapery covering it. The spacer members can then be adjusted so that the drapery Vedges are perfectly straight andjs'o that they overlap the same amountat the bottom as at the top to give the draperies `a neat appearance. Thus the lower overlapping drapery edges are held in alignment by magnetic attraction.

The movable body portions of each spacer member can then be selectively positioned to impart the desired form to the first pleat of each drapery. Thus the spacer members of my invention each serves as a combination weight, shaper and drapery edge holder.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail reference character 1 designates the left hand Vdrapery While reference character 2 representsV the overlapping right ha'nd drapery as shown in FIG. l. The hems 3 and 4 of draperies 1 and 2 respectively hold spacer members 5 Vand.

ber 5 which is inserted inthe hem of lthe left hand drapery 1. The spacer member 5 basically consists'of theV main rectangular body portion 9 having an adjustable body portion 10 pivotally attached to one end thereof by hinge member 11. The body portions 9 and 10 are relatively thin so as to easily slip into the hem of a curtain and are constructed of plastic, wood, 'or other suitable lightweight material. The hinge member 11 .is of the piano or other suitable ,type and the mounting anges 12 and 13 thereof are respectively connected to the body portions 9 and 10 by rivets 14, or other suitable attaching means such as mastic, etc., the means of attaching the hin'ge mounting anges depending largely upon the body portion material. The mounting anges 12 and 13 are preferably recessed flush with the surfaces of the body portions. The thickness of the hinge Vmember 11 and the body portions 9 and 10 is substantially the rsame `thus permitting free pivotal movement of adjustable body portion 10 to the AThe front surface of the main body portion 9 carries a recessed plate shown at 15 constructed of a magnetically responsive material. The plate 15 is disposed so that it is flush with the front surface of the main body portion 9 and is secured in the recess by a `layer of mastic 18, as shown in FIG. l2, or other suitable attaching'means. When the body portion 9 is constructed of plastic the plate 15 can be molded into the body portion. The body portion 9 carries a centrally disposed aperture 16 beneath the plate 15, the aperture carrying a magnet 1 7 securely fastened therein so as'to abut the rear surface of the plate 15. Since the plate 15 is constructed of a magnetically responsive material the entire plate takes on magnetic qualities with the magnet 17 in abutting contact therewith. Thus spacer member 5 provides a large coacting magnetically attractive surface vfor spacer member 6. Y Y Spring clip 7 is provided on the lower rear surface adjacent the vertical edge of the body portion 9; the clip 7 extending longitudinally with the body portion 9. The attaching arm of the clip 7', as shown iny FIG. 12, is mounted iiush with the rear surface of body portion 9, the cliparm being secured to the body'portion by a layer of mastic as shown at 18 or other suitable attaching means. Spring clip 7 engages the mitered edge 19 of the drapery hem simultaneously securing spacer 5 in the drapery hem and mitering the corner of hem 3 quickly, thus relieving the seamstress from the task of Ysewing Ythe mitered edges down, saving time and labor.

In FIGS. 14-19 I have shown the right hand spacer member 6 which is inserted in the hem 4' of the right hand drapery 2. Spacermember 6 is comprised of a rectangular main body portion shown at A21 having a smaller body portion 22 pivotally attached thereto through mounting flanges 24 and 25 of hinge member 23. Mounting anges 24 and 25 of hinge member 23 are respectively connected to body portions 21 and 22 by rivets 26 or other suitable attaching means; The body portions, lhinge member andy spring clip of the spacer membersrS and 6 vare similarly constructed so that the movable body portion of each yspacer member is free to be pivoted in forward or rearward arcs of substantially the vsarne magnitude for selective forming of the rst drapery pleat at the hem line into various congurations.

Drapery spacer portion 27, having a mitered edge 28 corresponding to the mitered corner of the hem, is carried by the upper right hand corner of the rear surface of main body portion 21. Spacer portion27 is secured tobody portion 21 by glue, mastic, or other suitable bonding material. e

Diagonally disposed magnets 29, extending substantially parallel with the mitered edgeV 28, are secured in recesses carried by spacer portion 27 soY as to be mounted ush 'with the rearward facing ksurface of said spacer portion or to project slightly beyond the spacer portion rear surface. Spring clip 8 carrying attaching armV 8' is secured to the rear surface of body portion 21 adjacent the lower right hand and beneath the terminating horizontal edge of mitered spacer portion 27. j Clip arm 8' is attached to body portion 21 by a layer of mastic indicated at 29' or other suitable means in the Vsame manner that clip arm 7' Vis attached to body portion 9.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when spacer member 6 is inserted in the hemr4 of drapery 2, the spring clip 8 engages the hem 4, thus securing the spacer member in the vhem and simultaneously mitering Ithe corner of the hem thus elimnatingthe necessity of sewing the mitered edge. The hem 4 is thus held by spring action between the spring clip 8 and the rearV surface vof body portion 21. When the spacer member is thus insertedjthe mitered edge 20 of drapery hem 4 is disposed `in abutting contact with the lcorrespondingly mitered edge 28 of the spacer portion 27.

. Thus the spacer portion 27 must be of slightly greater nets 29 beyond the material thickness of the hem to enable them to make at abutting magnetic contact with the coacting magnetically attractive plate through drapery 1 when the draperies are closed as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG. l showing the spacer members 5 and 6 secured in their respective hems and holding the overlapping drapery edges together by the magnetic attraction between magnets 29 and plate 15. As shown in FIG. 5 drapery 1 is disposed between magnets 29 and plate 15 so that left hand spacer member 5 is completely concealed by drapery 1 at all times. In FIG. 5 the movable body portions 10 and 22 of spacer members 5 and 6 respectively are disposed in alignment with body portions 9 and 21 to give a ilat or vanishing effect to the first pleat of each drapery toward the bottom edge thereof. Two different Pleat-forming eifects are shown in FIGS. 2() and 21 which are views similar to FIG. 5. In FIG. 2() I have shown the movable body portions 10 and 22 pivoted to a forward position with respect to body portions 9 and 21, that is, disposed at obtuse angles to body portions 9 and 21, to provide forward projecting first pleats on each drapery. In FIG. 21 I have shown the movable body portions 10 and 22 pivoted to a rearward position with respect to body portions 9 and 21, such as to form rearwardly projecting rst pleats. The movable body portions 1i! and 22 can be pivoted to many positions to impart dierent forming elfects to the first pleats of the draperies to give a more aesthetic appearance thereto.

In FIG. 22 I have shown a modilied arrangement of placing spring clips 7' and 8 on the back surfaces of spacer members 5 and 6', respectively. In this modified form of my invention the spring clips substantially extend from the top of the rear surfaces of the spacer members in a downward direction in the vertical plane, the spring clips being disposed at acute angles to the hinge members. In this arrangement a modiiied form of spacer portion 27 is also utilized as shown m FIG. 22.

In FIGS. 23 and 24 I have shown a modified form of right hand spacer member secured -to the hem 4 ofi-ight hand drapery 2 by triangular spacer portion 27 which 1s pivotally connected to main body portlon 21' by spring loaded hinge member 30. Spacer portion 27"' canrymg magnets 29' is thus biased toward the rear surface of main body portion 21 enabling the mitered edge of hem 4 to be securely spring clamped intermediate the two members as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. shows a modied form of movable body portion 10' hingedly Yattached to main body portion 9. In this modified form the movable body portion 10' has a smooth flowing outwardly surved surface for forming a gracefully curved first pleat in the drapery. This modilied construction of movable body portion is applicable to both the right and left hand spacer members;

In FIGS. 26 and 27 I have shown another modiiied construction of movable body portion applicable for both the right and left hand body portions. In this form of my invention each spacer member carries a movable body portion 31 pivotally hinged at 32 to another movable body portion 33 which is pivotally hinged at 34 to main body portion 35. With this arrangement box-shaped and other pleat forms can be imparted to the drapery 36, as shown in FIG. 27, which are not obtainable with a single movable body portion. If required in a particular application a multiplicity of movable body portions can be linked together to obtain a desired drapery nleat form.

In FIG. 28 I have shown a modified arrangement of fastening the spacer members to the drapery hems. In this construction I provide attaching tabs 37 and 38 protruding upwardly from body portions 39 and 40, respectively. These lattaching tabs can be constructed of plastic or fabric, or other material capable of being sewn, secured to the body portions by mastic or other suitable bonding means. The tabs are then sewn to the rear surface of the drapery hem line to fasten the spacer members to their respective draperies.

" I have constructed a 'pair of the drapery spacer members of my invention and have found them very practical and useful in keeping draperies neat and tailored-looking at all times.

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments I realize that modifications can be -made and I desire thattit be understood that no, limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

l. In combination, a drapery section provided at its lower edge with a tubular hem opening through a vertical edge of the drapery section, said tubular hem being mitered adjacent said vertical edge, a substantially rigid plate-like element engaging longitudinally within said hem adjacent said vertical edge, a resilient clip secured to said body portion and engaging the mitered edge of said hem for anchoring the body portion therein, and permanent magnet means carried by said body pontion between said vertical edge of the drapery section and said mitered edge and exposed for coaction with magnetically attractable means on #a companion drapery seotion adapted to overlap said rst named drapery section and hem.

2. The combination as set forth in claim l in which said permanent magnet means extends outwardly from Said plate-like element for a distance greater than the thickness of the mitered edge of said hem.

3. in a device of the character described, a drapery section having a hem at its lower free edge, said hem open adjacent one vertical edge of the drapery section, said hem diagonally cut at its open end, a substantially rigid body portion insertable in the hem and clampingly engaging the hem for yanchoring the b'ody portion therein and including a permanent magnet part exposed for coaction with a magnetically attractable part of a companion drapery section, said permanent magnet part disposed between said vertical edge and the diagonally cut edge of said hem.

4. In a device of the character described, a drapery section having a hem at its lower vfree edge, said hem open adjacent one vertical edge of the drapery section, said hem diagonally cut at its open end, a substantially rigid body portion insert-able in the hem and clampingly engaging the hem for anchoring the body portion therein and including a permanent magnet part exposed for coaction with a magnetically attractable part of a companion drapery section, said permanent magnet part disposed between said vertical edge and the diagonally cut edge of said hem, and substantially rigid movable body portions hingedly connected to said first body portion and to said magnetically attractable part for selectively forming the rst pleats in said drapery section and the companion drapery section.

5. In a drapery device, a drapery section, a hem carried -by the lower end of the drapery section and being open at one vertical edge of the drapery section, said hem being mitered at its open end, a substantially rigid plate-like element insertable within the open end of said hem, and a permanent magnet part carried by said platelike element and constituting a clip and clampingly engaging said hem and being exposed between said vertical edge and the mitered edge of said hem.

6. In a drapery device, a drapery section, a hem carried by the lower end of the drapery section and being open at one vert-ical edge of the drapery section, said hem being mitered at its open end, a substantially rigid plate-like element insertable within the open end of said hem, a resilient clip secured to said plate-like element and engaging .the mitered edge of said hem -for `anchoring the plate-like element therein, a spacer element carried by said plate-like element 4between the drapery vertical edge and the mitered edge of said hem, permanent` magnet means carried by said spacer element, a com YlowerV end of the, companion drapery section andv 'being open Vat one vertical edge, said second mentioned hem being niitered'at its open end, a substantially rigid companion plate-like element insertable within the open end ofV said hem, a resilient clip secured to said companion plate-like element and engaging the mitered edge of said hem for anchoring the companion plate-like element companion plate-like element, and they permanent magnet means being exposed for coaction with said magnetically fattractable plate for holding said overlapping drapery sections in spacedrrelation.Y Y Y References Cited in the file of this partent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,319,292 =Boggs a May 18V; 1943 therein, e.' magnetically attractable plate carried by said 10 2,474,552 Steinmeyer Y.. Y- Y June Y28, 1949 

